Mavic Mini- Ultra Light - 199 grams... did you know?

tiparoch · Jan 6, 2020

I live in Japan. Have been enjoying my Mavic Mini, bought here. Though my flight times were never very long. About 12-14 minutes, never approaching the fabled 30 minutes, never even nearing 20 minutes. I was watching several YouTube vids and finally the weight started to stick in my mind, I kept hearing 249 grams. Yet, sure enough the one I got, via DJI was 'Ultra Light - 199 grams.' After a bit of snooping around, I figured out it was (probably) not a different craft, other than the writing on the side, but the battery. The ones sold here are lighter and less mAh, 1100/1200 mAh, versus the 2400/2500 mAh that are sold in other countries. For what ever it is worth, the 'ultra-light' version has been just fine in the wind. I would assume the 2400 mAh will fit, push up the weight and extend, (double?) flight time.

deathmajor · Jan 6, 2020

It's mentioned briefly in the manual and their FAQ:

The international version of Mavic Mini weighs 249 grams. The Japanese version of Mavic Mini weighs 199 grams, as drones under 200 grams are not subject to the drone flight rules according to Japanese aviation law. Due to the difference in weight and capacity of the two batteries, always use the Japanese battery (1100 mAh) when using the Japanese version of Mavic Mini.

netsonic · Jan 6, 2020

tiparoch said:
The ones sold here are lighter and less mAh, 1100/1200 mAh, versus the 2400/2500 mAh that are sold in other countries. For what ever it is worth, the 'ultra-light' version has been just fine in the wind. I would assume the 2400 mAh will fit, push up the weight and extend, (double?) flight time.

Like deathmajor correctly mentioned the manual, you are both right as you have less weight and half of the battery capacity. You could expect half of the advertised 30 min flight time on the battery that has half of the capacity.

Your assumption is also correct that once you put in a bigger/normal (2400 mAh) battery, it will double your flight time, however you need to pay attention to "the drone flight rules according to Japanese aviation law".

fly safe !

tiparoch · Jan 6, 2020

netsonic said:
Like deathmajor correctly mentioned the manual, you are both right as you have less weight and half of the battery capacity. You could expect half of the advertised 30 min flight time on the battery that has half of the capacity.

Your assumption is also correct that once you put in a bigger/normal (2400 mAh) battery, it will double your flight time, however you need to pay attention to "the drone flight rules according to Japanese aviation law".

fly safe !

Jo Nap! Koszonom!
Thanks for the reply. Yes...I know all about the rules and laws in Japan. I wont being flying in Metro Tokyo any time soon. That is the real no fly zone. I am thinking though...that the larger capacity batteries should be just fine. Even though they push the weight above the "limit".

kenmok · Jan 6, 2020

netsonic said:
Like deathmajor correctly mentioned the manual, you are both right as you have less weight and half of the battery capacity. You could expect half of the advertised 30 min flight time on the battery that has half of the capacity.

Your assumption is also correct that once you put in a bigger/normal (2400 mAh) battery, it will double your flight time, however you need to pay attention to "the drone flight rules according to Japanese aviation law".

fly safe !

So the 2400 mAh is compatible also in the Japan version? Any one tried?

netsonic · Jan 7, 2020

Yes, the aircraft propulsion/power is the same, only the battery is 50 grams heavier and has double the capacity.

Here is a link from Gearbest, one of the resellers where this question is addressed:

https://www.gearbest.com/blog/how-to/why-dji-mavic-mini-has-two-different-batteries-9042

Can this two battery version of DJI Mavic Mini be universal?
Yes, you can install the 2,400 mAh battery in the Japanese version. But if you flying the DJI Mavic Mini in Japan, please obey the local policies and regulations and use Japanese version battery.

MAvic_South_Oz · Jan 7, 2020

There’s been threads on this forum before regarding this, and it was still a bit of an unknown about the batteries being interchangeable.
I figured you could put the larger capacity into the Japanese mini version (and vice versa), they wouldn’t make 2 different bodies, just a same size batteries with a void where some were left out to attain local weight required.
I think if someone was travelling a lot, it’d be pretty good to be able to use the lower rated battery, even though flight time is sacrificed, to enable legal flight almost worldwide and still be able to fly with prop cages, or strobe, skin, ect fitted.

tiparoch · Jan 7, 2020

MAvic_South_Oz said:
There’s been threads on this forum before regarding this, and it was still a bit of an unknown about the batteries being interchangeable.
I figured you could put the larger capacity into the Japanese mini version (and vice versa), they wouldn’t make 2 different bodies, just a same size batteries with a void where some were left out to attain local weight required.
I think if someone was travelling a lot, it’d be pretty good to be able to use the lower rated battery, even though flight time is sacrificed, to enable legal flight almost worldwide and still be able to fly with prop cages, or strobe, skin, ect fitted.

yeah good point. I am quite sure the body us the same, only different batteries.
I looked for threads but didn't see any with this point. Thanks.
I am trying to get some 2500 mAh batteries to see.

MAvic_South_Oz · Jan 7, 2020

I searched all threads > Japan battery mini
Check this one . . .
FINALLY! 199g FlyMore Combo

FINALLY! 199g FlyMore Combo

It’s here! The one month wait is over. Can’t wait to try this thing out this weekend.

mavicpilots.com

Davros007 · Jan 7, 2020

If you want to attach 50gm to a US drone and be under the US weight limit, get a Japanese battery?

MAvic_South_Oz · Jan 7, 2020

Davros007 said:
If you want to attach 50gm to a US drone and be under the US weight limit, get a Japanese battery?

That’s my thought.
Up to 50g, but a 4 or 6g strobe, a bright wrap (better VLOS), or the mini prop cages weigh quite a bit less . . . 24g each or for 2 ? Not sure . . .

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m.dji.com

Even if prop cages were 48g a pair it’d still work out sub 250g.

And it is just about any other country with similar advanced airspace regulations that is sub 250, before licensing and or registration takes place (at least until the goal posts are maybe moved one day).
It the lower spec battery is available it could allow a lot more flight accessory flexibility, well everywhere except Japan of course.

tiparoch · Jan 8, 2020

MAvic_South_Oz said:
That’s my thought.
Up to 50g, but a 4 or 6g strobe, a bright wrap (better VLOS), or the mini prop cages weigh quite a bit less . . . 24g each or for 2 ? Not sure . . .

Buy Mavic Mini 360° Propeller Guard - DJI Store

Shop for Mavic Mini 360° Propeller Guard on the official DJI Online Store. Find great deals and buy DJI products online with quick and convenient delivery!

m.dji.com

Even if prop cages were 48g a pair it’d still work out sub 250g.

And it is just about any other country with similar advanced airspace regulations that is sub 250, before licensing and or registration takes place (at least until the goal posts are maybe moved one day).
It the lower spec battery is available it could allow a lot more flight accessory flexibility, well everywhere except Japan of course.

Yeah good idea... using a smaller, Japanese battery so you can put more stuff on your drones and be under 250 grams. Weird cuz I am going the other way. The thing is a person can STILL fly drones in Japan over 200 grams... I do it all the time, in most of the Japan it is okay. I am quite sure they are aiming the 199 grams at Tokyo. The entire metro Tokyo area is restricted except for 'toy ' level drones. But I would really hesitate to fly a 199 gram Mavic Mini in Tokyo. The cops would be on you right away and snatch your drone and let you worry about "rules". Plenty of places to fly outside of Tokyo.

netsonic · Jan 8, 2020

I feel for you my friend. In Romania our weight limit is 500 gram so, we fly with stock battery and have room for another 250 grams of additional weight before hitting the registration limit. As common sense, I'll keep mine as light as possible not to affect my flight time too much.